Golf

The rolling topography, majestic cypress trees and winding rivers of the state make for a perfect golf setting. Whether you love links play or are more comfortable with championship golf, you are sure to find more than a few courses nearby that far exceed your expectations.

The oldest golf course in Alabama, Highland Park golf has providing championship-style play since 1903. The course is rich in history and tradition, and was the site of some of Bobby Jones' first victories. The course is still an amazing experience thanks to the 1998 restoration by renowned architect Bob Cupp. The bent grass greens afford fantastic views of downtown Birmingham. www.highlandparkgolf.com

Lakewind's 125-acre layout provides a great golfing experience and beautiful views of Lake Martin. The small greens keep in proportion to the length of the hole, creating a variety of different tee shots as you play along. Three lakes and numerous sand traps make accurate iron shots an absolute necessity. The course, located in Alexander City, has been modernized with new cart trails, a new irrigation system and a renovated clubhouse. www.alexcitypr.com/golfcourse.htm

Part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail collection of courses that are spread across the state, the three 18's at Capitol Hill each promise a challenging and breathtaking round of golf for the adventurous. The Senator is a Scottish-links style course that is broken by more than 150 bunkers and earthen mounds 30 to 40 feet in height. The Legislator is a more traditional championship-style layout that plays alongside a high bluff and the down into cypress low grounds. The Judge uses 200 acres of the Alabama River as its majestic backdrop. 14 of its 18 holes adjoin water and many boast views of the Montgomery skyline. www.rtjgolf.com/courses/capitolhill

Dothan National's Bob Simmons-designed course is a tree-lined 18-hole tract that is suitable for players of all ages and levels of experience. Conveniently located near theaters, shopping malls, and recreational historic parks, the club includes a lighted driving range, hotel, restaurant and lounge, an Olympic size outdoor pool and conference facilities. www.dothannational.com

Craft Farms is a full service, family owned and operated golf resort set along the Gulf Coast. The resort is home to three premium 18-hole golf courses: The Woodlands, Cypress Bend and Cotton Creek. The Larry Nelson-designed Woodlands course features lakes, marshes and a tree-lined fairway. Golf master Arnold Palmer designed Cotton Creek's rolling hills and carefully placed bunkers. Palmer also designed Cypress Bend, the newest Craft Farms course. In addition to these three championship-level courses, Craft Farms is the home of a spa, Marriott hotel, two restaurants and a variety of meeting spaces.craftfarms.com

Hampton Cove Golf Course is the northern-most stop on the state's famed Robert Jones Golf Trail. The course features 54 holes spread over 650 acres of river valley with mountains surrounding the landscape. The three courses play quite differently, and the River Course is the only Robert Trent Jones layout without a single bunker. Hampton Cove also features a 35,000 square-foot clubhouse with a dining room and a golf shop.www.rtjgolf.com/courses/hampton_cove

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